Spring oiler



Apr. 17, 1923. 1,452,429

G. T. LEMELlN SPRING OILER Filed July 31 1922 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE T. LEMELIN, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO EDWARD A. MENARD, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPRING OILER.

zlpplicatiun filed .Tuly 31, 1922.

To all NT/107)? it may concern:

Be it known that l. Gnonon T. LEMELIN, a. citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Springfield, in the county of .l'lampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Spring U iler, of which the tollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in devices applied to the springs of automobiles for the purpose of lubricating or assisting in the lubrication. and of excluding dust, dirt, and moisture from such springs. and consists cs ntially of an in tcrior casing or cover of an-sorhent material. an exterior casing or cover of flexible material. which latter is provided with oilreceiving means, and fastening means for said exterior cover. together with such other parts and members as may be necessary or desirable in order to render the dc rice complete and serviceable in every respect. all as hereinafter set forth.

The primary object of my invention to provide a. device or oiler of the character descril'ied above, which is capable of being lightly and securely attached to a spring oi the leaf variety, and when so attached distributes oil supplied thereto in a most efiicient manner to the leaves of the spring, while at the same time enclosing said spring so as to exclude therefrom dust and dirt, and also moisture, to the end that the life of the spring is materially prolonged and its efliciency greatly enhanced.

A further object is to produce an oiler which can be readily attached to the spring, and as readily detached therefrom.

This oilcr is comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction, yet at the same time durable.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.

I attain the objects and secure the advantages of my invention by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a bottom or inncrside plan of a sprin oiler which embodies a practical form 0 my invention, the same being detached and partially spread open, and the lacing not being shown; Fig. 2. an enlarged, cross section through a spring and said oiler in place thereon; Fig. 3, an enlarged detail in section of the oil-cup with its Serial No. 578,582.

screw-toy and adjacent portions of the oiler covers; fig. 4. a plan 011 a reduced scale of modified form of the inner cover, the same being spread out or extended, and, Fig. a bottom plan of said spring and oiier, the latter being secured to the former as in Fig. 2.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views.

A leaf s 'iring is represented at l in Figs. and 5. also in Fig. 2 av U-shaped clip 2 will] a. bolt 3 and nut 4 therefor, such as is rs tomariiy used to secure the leaves of a i ring of this kind in place one upon the other.

The oiler For the spring 1 comprises an inner cover 5 which is preferably made of felt. and an outer cover 6 which is preferably made of leather. In addition to the covers 5 and the oiler includes an oil-cup T for which a screw-cap 8 is provided, fastener 9, a lacing cord or Wire 10, and end tic-cords or wires 11-l1.

The inner, felt cover 5 is preferably secured by means of two rivets 1.2 to the cover 6. such rivets being located approximately in the longitudinal center of the two covers, and adjacent to the ends of the felt cover. Although the cover 5 might be made imperforate. I prefer to perforate or slot the same between the rivets. 12, as it is believed the oil is distributed to better advantage in the latter than in the former case. The cover 5 shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5 has therein a. plurality of holes 13, While the cover 5 shown in Fig. 4 has therein a plurality of angular slots 14. Obviously openings or slots having other forms or shapes might be cut in the felt coverto serve a similar purpose as that served by the holes 13 and the slots 14.

The outer, leather cover 6 is provided at one longitudinal edge with an extension or flap 1!). This flap is stitched to the inside of the cover (3, and is a little shorter than said cover. The cover 5 is also a. little shorter than the cover 6, and is of less width than the combined width of the cover 6 and the flap 15. The arrangement of the covers and flap is such that the cover 6 extends at both ends beyond the cover 6 and the flap. The longitudinal edges of both covers, including the flap 15 with the cover 6, converge slightly or to an extent sufficient to enable the covers when wrapped about the spring 1 to accommodate themselves to the taper of said spring.

The oil-cup 7 is attached to the outside of the cover 6 adjacent to the narrower end of said cover by means of rivets 1616, as best shown in Fig 3. At the inner end the oil-cup 7 opens directly over the hole 13, in the cover 5, which is next adjacent to the narrower end of said cover.

The fasteners 9 are of the usual type, and there are two rows of such fasteners on the Outside of the cover 6, one row parallel with the longitudinal edge thereof that is the more remote from the flap 15. but set in some distance from such edge, and the other parallel with and immediately adjacent to the opposite edge thereof. The fasteners 9 in the two rows are in offset or staggered relationship, except possibly at one or both ends where they may be diametrically opposite to each other.

The cover 6 is provided at each end, where the same extends beyond the cover 5 and the flap 15, with a hem 17, and one of the tiewires 11 is received in said hem. ()ne terminal of each tie-wire 11 protrudes from the end of one of the hems 17 that is adjacent to the flap 15, while the other terminal of said tie-wire passes out of said hem at a point somewhat remote from the opposite end thereof, as indicated at 18 in Fig. 1. These points of egress for the tie-wires 11 are adjacent to the ends of the two rows of fasteners 9. There are two slots or openings 19 in the cover 6 so located as to accommodate the ends of the clip 2 which extend above the bolt 3. The cover 5 is not slotted or slit to receive the aforesaid ends of the clip 2, consequently portions of said cover are forced through the openings 19 with and by said ends, when the oiler is placed in pos tion on the spring 1. Thus it is seen that the openings 19 are closed by the portions of the felt cover 5 whic 1 overlay the upper ends of the clip 2, as shown at 20-20 in Fig. 2, so that said ends are protected from dirt and moisture. and the two latter are excluded from the interior of the cover 5 so far as entrance through said openings is concerned. The covers 5 and 6 are prevented from slipping around or moving longitudinally on the spring 1 by reason of the relationship just described as existing between said covers and the ends of the clip. The closing of the openings 19 with portions of the cover 5 also serves in a measure to render the covers air-tight when in place around the spring, which is an advantage because the oil is then automatically worked in between the leaves of the spring. by the vibration of said leaves, to much better advantage than would be the case if said openings were not closed by said portions or the parts 20.

Usually the spring inclines downwardly from either terminal, so that the oil-cup 7. being located adjacent to the narrower end of the cover 6. is positioned at a higher elcvation on said spring than would be the case if said cup were located at the opposite end of said cover, wherefore the flow of oil from said cup throughout the cover 5 is promoted by the action of gravity due to these conditions, as well as by capillary at traction and the tendency of the oil to flow downwardly whether or not the parts he inclined.

In practice, the united covers 5 and 6 are placed on top of the spring 1. with the oilcup 7 over the narrower portion of said spring, and the openings 19 directly above the ends of the clip 2. Then the covers 5 and 6 are pressed down onto the spring 1 around the ends of the clip 2, so that said ends force the portions 20 of the cover 5 outwardly through the openings 19. Next the cover 5 is carried down on opposite sides of the spring and beneath the same. with one longitudinal-edge portion of said cover underlapping the other longitudinal-edge portion, as clearly shown at 21 in Fig. 2; and the cover 6 is carried downwardly out side of said cover 5 on both sides and beneath said overlapping, longitudinal-edge portions 21, the flap 15 being passed directly under and in contact with said portions 21. the longitudinal-edge portion 22 of said cover 6. which is opposite to that to which said flap is attached, being passed beneath and in direct contact with said flap. and the opposite longitudinal-edge portion (23) of said cover (3 being passed directly beneath and in. contact with the previously-mentioned longitudinal -cdge portion (22). \Vhen the cover 6 with its extension 15 is wrapped about the spring 1 outside of the cover 5 in the manner just described. the two rows of fasteners 9 are in spaced relationship on opposite sides of the longitudt nal. central, vertical plane of said spring and the parts and members mounted on and enfolding the same. Finally the longitudinal-edge portions 22 and 23 of the cover (i are fastened together and both covers sccurely attached to the spring by means of the lacing 10 and the tie-wires 11. The Incing 10 has one end secured to the fastener 9 which is nearest adjacent to one end or the other of the covert and then said lacing is passed in zigzag fashion through or in engagement with the other fastcncrs 9 until that which is nearest adjacent to the opposite end of said cover is reached. when said lacing is fastened thereto. In this (use there are two fasteners 9 adjacent to one cud of the cover (3, which fasteners arc in a plane parallel with such end, as shown in Fig. consequently one terminal of the lacing 10 is attached to these two fasteners.

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'If this arrangement of fasteners were adopted at both ends of the cover 6 the tiewires 11 might be omitted, but it is conceived to be preferable to use the latter for the sake of the additional security afforded by them. Each of the tic-wires 11 is secured in place on the spring 1 by twisting the terminals of such wire, which protrude from the hem 17'. that carries the same, tightly together.

It will now be seen that there is a thickness of felt and for a considerable portion of i the width a double thickness of felt beneath.

the spring 1, and a thickness of leather and for a considerable portion of the aforesaid width two thicknesses of leather beneath said spring. Such being the case and all portions of the covers 5 and 6 being tightly pressed against the enclosed parts, no-leakage of oil can occur through either the bottom or sides of the cover 6. Naturally there is no leakage at the top, and the tiewires 11 secure the ends of the cover 6 so tightly in place, and crowd them over the ends of the cover 5 into direct contact with the spring 1 in such a manner, that there is practically little or no leakage at the ends.

After the device has been secured to the spring, the screw-cap 8 is removed, the oilcup 7 is filled with oil. and said screw-cap is returned to place. The oil in the oil-cu 7 passes through the opening 13 that is directly beneath said cup onto the spring 1, and gradually works its way along the top of said spring and into the cover 5, which latter becomes saturated with the oil, both by capillary attraction and gravity, and distributes it to the sides of the spring, and even to the bottom thereof. The other holes 13 assist in the distribution of the oil from the oil-cup 7 along the top of the spring 1, and so insure and expedite'the saturation of the entire cover 5. There is a tendency to draw the oil in between the leaves of the spring, as said leaves .move on each other under the weight and vibrationto' which they are subjected, which tendency is enhanced by the closing of the openings 19 with the portions 20 of thecover 5, since the passage of air through said openings is thus prevented. In addition to lubricating the spring. the device also protects it from moisture, dirt, and other foreign substances.

The oil-cup 7 is replenished from time to time as may be re uired.

To remove the oi er, it is simply necessary to unfasten the tie-wires 11 and unfasten and remove the lacing 10.

Naturally the covers 5 and 6 are caused to bulge by the bottom and sides of the clip 2, but elsewhere said covers are smooth and even, with the cover 5 in direct contact with the spring 1 on all four sides of the same.

More or less change in the shape, size, construction, and arrangement of some or all of the parts of this device, in addition to those specifically pointed out, may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or exceeding the scope of what is claimed.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a spring oiler, an outer cover of flexible material provided with oil-receiving means, and perforated to receive the ends of the spring clip, an extension secured to said cover ad acent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending beyond the same, and an inner cover of absorbent material adapted to have portions thereof thrust by said clip ends throu h the perforations in said outer cover, an fastening means for said outer cover.

2. In a spring oiler, an outer cover of flexible material provided with oil-receiving means, and erforated to receive the ends of the spring c ip, a flap attached to said cover adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending beyond the same, an inner cover of absorbent material attached to said outer cover, and adapted to have portions thereof thrust by said clip ends through the perforations in said outer cover, and fastening means for said outer cover.

3. In a spring oiler, an outer flexible cover provided with an oil-cup, and perforated to receive the ends of the spring clip, a flap attached to said cover adjacent to one longitudinaledge thereof and extending beyond the same, an inner cover of flexible material attached to said outer cover, and adapted to have portions thereof thrust .by said clip ends through the perforations therein, said inner cover havin an opening therein in alignment with said oil-cup, and fastening means for said outer cover.

.4. Ina spring oiler, an outer cover'of flexible material provided with oil-receiving means, having hems at the ends, and further provided with fasteners adjacent to the ongitudinal-edge portions thereof, a flap attached to said cover adjacent to one longitudinal edge thereof and extending beyond the same, an inner cover of absorbent material attached to said outer cover fastening members in said hems and pro ecting beyond the ends of the same, and a lacing adapted to be engagedwith said fasteners.

5. A spring oiler comprisin an outer cover of flexible material provi ed with an oil-cup, and having hems at the ends, a flap attached to said cover ad'acent to one longitudinal edge thereof,an extending beyond the same, an inner cover of absorbent material attached to said outer cover, said inner cover falling short of the ends of said outer cover, means to fasten together the longitudinal ed 5 of said outer cover, and members, in sai hems and projecting beyond the ends of the same, to fasten the ends of said duter cover around the spring beyond the of thrust by said olip ends through the perends of said inner cover. forations in said outer cover, and fastening 6. In a spring oiler, an outer cover of flexmeans for said outer cover. ible material provided with oil-receiving GEORGE T. LEMELIN. 5 means, and perforated to receive the ends Witnesses:

of the spring clip, an inner cover of absorb- F. A. CU'I'IER,

ent material adopted to have portions there- R. E. ALLBEE.

DISCLAIMER.

1,452,429.-Ge0rge T. Lemelin, Springfield, Mass. SPRING 0mm. Patent. dated April 17, 1923. Disclaimer filed April 21, 1923, by George T. Lemelin and by Edward A. Menard, assignee of one-half interest. Hereby enter this disclaimer in said patent in toto.

[Oficial Gazette May 8, 1923.] 

